Honest to God, this is the first I’m hearing of it, but it looks like this rumor has been floating around for a few weeks. It involves Charlize Theron and her recent (as yet unverified) split with Stuart Townsend, and how she and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner have been spotted all over Los Angeles looking very close. Bitch! I can’t believe Charlize is trying to steal my man! In truth, there’s just a hodge-podge of anecdotal reports about Charlize and Jeremy hanging out, and there’s absolutely no proof that they’re anything but friends. But still, when you look at these photos, it totally seems likely.

So here are the basics: Jeremy and Charlize have been friends “for years” – probably ever since they filmed North Country together, back in 2004-05. Charlize, being a good friend and an Oscar-winning actress, decided to hostess some events for Jeremy and The Hurt Locker team, most likely events for Academy voters. People Magazine noted that at one of those events, a guest said that “Charlize and Jeremy palled around and hung out for a while.” People also noted that Jeremy and Charlie “recently stepped out for drinks at The Foundry on Melrose in L.A., where they were ‘extremely comfortable together,’ an onlooker says. So, are they an item? According to a source, ‘they’re just really close friends.’”

Next piece of information? The denial! Jeremy told People (via Starpulse) that he and Charlize are “just friends. We’re crazy about each other. I can go hang out with her and play her piano and sip Scotch.” Goddamn it! He drinks Scotch?!? I bet he watches NCIS too! He really is the perfect imaginary boyfriend, minus the whole “he’s probably bangin’ a blonde Oscar-winning bombshell who would likely shank me” stuff.

Anyway, the final piece of information that I am obsessively collecting to “prove” that Jeremy and Charlize could be a couple: Charlize is going to the Oscars as a presenter and as Jeremy’s cheerleader, according to PopSugar. They think something’s up too! Damn it, why does Charlize get the hot guys? Oh, right. That whole blonde bombshell thing. Right.

Jesus, how f-cking gorgeous is Jeremy Renner? I love this kid. He’s not a kid, actually. He’s much older than me. He’s 39 years old, but he’s got that boyish thing going on, and he’s also got that naughty sparkle in his eye. Sigh… he’s my new Gerard Butler. My favorite imaginary boyfriend. He’s been getting pap’d like crazy ever since he got his Oscar nomination for The Hurt Locker, so it’s pretty much every other day that I get to stare at photos of my boyfriend. He’s a pretty snazzy dresser too. And he loves hanging out with his male buddies at LA hot spots. And you know what that means… the gay rumors are coming! He should take them as a compliment. As soon as people start calling you “gay” you’ve arrived.

Anyway, there are a couple of little pieces of news about Jeremy. Apparently, Jeremy has been vocal about his desire to play Kurt Cobain in a potential biopic about Nirvana, and the casting rumors are growing. Nothing seems to be solid, but it wouldn’t be the worst casting choice, actually. Jeremy has a lovely voice, and he’s quite musical, as evidenced by his recent appearance on The View, where he performed a little song he wrote at the piano. Just to let you know, this killed my attraction for him temporarily, and it will likely reinforce whatever gay rumors there are about him:

See? It’s not that he’s a bad singer or anything, he just doesn’t turn me on when he’s at the piano. Anyway, he’s not going to win the Oscar, but his career should have a significant boost with the nomination, and hopefully he’ll become a household name. Because I enjoy seeing photos of him, and I’d like to see him in more movies – just make him avoid the piano, please.

Jeremy Renner in LA on February 24, 2010. Credit: WENN.

Yesterday was the annual Oscar nominees luncheon (which CB already put in the links, below, with LaineyGossip). Some of the notable nominees didn’t show up: no Helen Mirren, no Mo’Nique, no Matt Damon, no Penelope Cruz. But lots of my favorites showed up, so let’s look at the photos! There were lots of quotes and red carpet interviews done with the luncheon too, so the quotes come from The Daily Mail, E! online, just FYI.

Here’s Sandra Bullock in a very pretty, conservative grey look. I’m really digging Sandra’s style this awards season, and I think she’s given up trying to be “hip” and now she’s just going for “classy”. Sandy jokes that she would wear a trash bag to the Oscars, saying: “If I have to wear a trashbag, I’ll stud it with rhinestones and I’ll make it work. I’m not panicky for some reason. I think it’s because there are so many beautiful things out there [and] someone will not want to wear it and I’ll get it.”’ Sandra also said: “It scares me more than anything, because you think, “What do I do now? What do I do now that I don’t step backwards – I step forward.” I’ve been thinking a lot about that – what do I do next?’ I feel like because of this honour and what I’ve been given these last couple of months, I really have an obligation not to step back even the smallest bit.”

Next up, we have Carey Mulligan, lead actress nominee for An Education. Carey said that she had no idea what she would be wearing to the ceremony: “I’ve got my dream dresses in my head but I don’t know who will make them.” Regarding her newly blonded hair, Carey said: “This is something I’m working on. This is a work in progress.” She also claimed that she was imposing an alcohol ban on herself at the Oscars, admitting: “I was at the Independent Film Awards in London and I was hammered. I didn’t think I was going to win, so I was like “ah whatever”. Then I got up there and it was lucky I kept it very short and got off the stage, so since then I’ve been very well behaved.” On being starstruck, she said: “I’ve just accidentally bumped asses with Quentin Tarantino, so that’s a surreal thing to happen! I’ve been following Kathryn Bigelow around quite a lot but I don’t know if she’s noticed and it’s been lovely meeting Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren and Sandra Bullock.”

One of my favorites from the luncheon (just fashion-wise) was Maggie Gyllenhaal, who is up for Best Supporting Actress for Crazy Heart. She wore a vintage 1970s Yves Saint Laurent to the luncheon, and it is stunning. So is her sexy husband Peter Sarsgaard.

Here’s my guy Jeremy Renner with his Hurt Locker director Kathryn Bigelow. My Lord, she’s tall! And Renner could be my pocket friend (in my pants):

Mmm… Colin Firth. He’s so pretty. I’m love with the grey in his hair. It’s so, so sexy. Colin said, regarding his first time ever at an Oscar luncheon: “This really is the first time, I’m completely unfamiliar with it – one is in a perpetual daze. On Oscar night – I will be in a daze, I think that’s quite a good place to be actually. I’m sure I’m ecstatic. I’ll probably have a flashback in six months time when I’ll be able to answer that question then.” So sweet.

Jeff Bridges brought his lovely wife to the luncheon. Look how he leans into her. He still loves the hell out of his wife of three decades, and that alone makes me swoon. Don’t even get me started on his beautifully groomed facial hair. I love him!

And last but not least, we have The Immortal, Meryl Streep. How much would you love it if Jeff (above) and Meryl did a romantic comedy? Or a drama. Or a thriller. They need to do something together, because they would be lovely. I hate this dress though. But her hair and styling is gorgeous!

I know most of you couldn’t care less about Jeremy Renner, but he’s starting to get right up there with Gerard Butler as far my imaginary boyfriends go. And this video (below) just added to my undying affection for this kid. The backstory is that Renner, Anthony Mackie and Kathryn Bigelow were scheduled to be interviewed together (for The Hurt Locker) on the Today Show, right after the Oscar nominations were announced. Some smart producer kept the camera (not live) on Renner before the interview started, just as Renner was watching his name being announced for the Best Actor Oscar. The look on his face is truly adorable – he looks like a little kid for a second, and he and Mackie share a huge, manly bear hug. It’s lovely:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New York Magazine is calling this Jeremy’s “Anti-Taylor Swift moment” because they describe his reaction as a “genuine moment of human emotion.” I agree that he was genuine – but I tend to think Taylor is too. Whatever:

In the wake of Taylor Swift’s phony, faux-shocked, “What, me?” reactions during her numerous acceptance speeches, it’s good to be reminded that genuine moments of human emotion still exist in Hollywood.

While there weren’t many surprises to come out of this morning’s Oscar nominations, Jeremy Renner just so happened to be on the set of the Today show when he got the news that he had scored his first Academy Award nomination in the prestigious category of Best Actor. Cameras were rolling as a clearly thrilled Renner launched into an impromptu bear hug with co-star Anthony Mackie, reminding us that not everyone is as jaded about this Oscar race as it may seem.

[From New York Magazine]

I love the underdog stories of the Oscars. That is, until the underdogs start engaging in some cut-throat Oscar campaign that makes me feel queasy. But I don’t think Renner will do that. He seems like the kind of guy who would be very happy just having received the nomination. Once he got off the Today set, he released this statement about his nom: “This is more exhilarating than I could have ever imagined. What a tremendous honor from the academy – a blazing stamp in the passport of an artist that can never be taken away and will always be cherished.” Aw…

Jeremy Renner at the DGAs on January 30, 2010. Credit: Juan Rico/Fame Pictures.

One of my favorite features of People Magazine is their “Spotlight on” and “Five Things You Didn’t Know About…” pieces. It’s a device used to profile an up-and-coming talents, someone who usually lacks controversy or some high-profile association, but is still worthy of attention. Previously, People Magazine has profiled everyone from Sam Worthington to Olivia Wilde. This week’s “Five Things” piece is about the phenomenal actor Jeremy Renner, star of this awards season’s critical darling The Hurt Locker. I’ve been following Jeremy Renner’s career slightly ever since I saw him in SWAT. I know, I know. But I actually liked SWAT! And Renner stole scenes away from the “stars” Colin Farrell and Michelle Rodriguez, and that’s when I took note. Also, last year he had a starring role in that weird ensemble ABC show “The Unusuals” but I didn’t watch it. Okay, I watched a few minutes here and there just to gawk at Renner.

Anyway, after plowing away for years in character work, this seems to be Renner’s year. He’s picking up acting nominations right and left, and The Hurt Locker will most likely end up with a Best Picture Oscar nomination. So, basically, Renner is going to be eye candy on the red carpet for the next couple of months, so let’s get to know him, shall we? And that’s where this People piece comes in. He sounds like a really decent, lovely man… and he’s single! Hurray!

With The Hurt Locker topping critics’ picks and racking up award nominations, all eyes are on the film’s relatively unknown star, Jeremy Renner.

Playing Staff Sgt. William James, the head of an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) squad stationed in Iraq, Renner, 39, is garnering Oscar buzz for his performance in the wartime drama, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, and has been nominated for Independent Spirit, Critics’ Choice and SAG awards.

Before Renner returns to the big screen with 2010′s The Town, here are five things you should know about one of Hollywood’s hottest new leading men:

1. He ‘Put On’ 80 lbs. for Hurt Locker
Shooting in Jordan, where the summer heat regularly reached around 110 degrees, Renner had to don a Kevlar bomb suit for his role that weighed between 80 and 100 lbs. “Initially I was very cavalier about it,” he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but after 10 minutes in the get-up, “I nearly died.”

2. He Can Handle a Gun
Having played soliders in 2005′s 28 Weeks Later and 2003′s S.W.A.T., Renner came into the role of Sgt. James with previous military training. “That is when I became really good at holding a gun and shooting a gun and being accurate with a rifle,” he told The Hill. But to tap into the mind of a bomb diffuser, Renner studied with EOD squad leaders at California’s Fort Irwin. “They walk you around like it was Santa’s workshop, and they are all building bombs,” he said. “[But] really getting to sit down and talk with them individually over a beer was a lot different, and I got a lot of insight into that.”

3. He’s Ready to Rock
Renner put his pipes on display in 2007′s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and 2005′s North Country, and has been playing drums, guitar and piano from a young age. But the actor has no plans of leaving Hollywood for life as a rock star. Instead, he’d rather play one onscreen. “That would be a real challenge,” he told Interview magazine of wanting to portray Kurt Cobain. “It would be a lot of fun to explore that.”

4. He Has a Celeb Fan in Ben Affleck
The actor-director, who cast Renner in his 2010 heist flick The Town, praised the star’s Hurt Locker performance in an essay for Variety. “You don’t feel for a second that Jeremy’s not the person he’s playing, ” Affleck wrote. “And that compete immersion into the character is what pulls us all into that suit and makes us all feel like we’re trying to diffuse that bomb with him … With Jeremy we’re seeing the beginnings of a body of work from an actor who’s obviously really gifted.”

5. He’s Family-Oriented
With his star on the rise, Renner is ready to settle down and dedicate his life to more domestic pursuits. “I’m single. I don’t have a family and I would like to,” the actor told Parade. “I’ve given up some things to have the life that I have now.”

[From People]

It’s like he’s talking directly to me! Yes, I will have your babies, Jeremy. All you had to do was ask! Seriously, how cute is this guy? I have a thing for men with those sleepy bedroom eyes. His voice is really good too. That’s my G-spot, by the way. Sleepy-eyed men with great voices. Sigh… Jeremy. I hope you look good in a tux!

Jeremy Renner at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on January 5, 2010. Also, at a press conference on July 7, 2009 and at the Hollywood Film Festival on October 26, 2009. Promotional image from ‘The Hurt Locker’. Credit for all: WENN.